Betway Takes Affiliate Marketing In-House for Enhanced Control and Regulatory Alignment

A prominent online betting platform, Betway, is taking its affiliate marketing operations under its own roof. This tactical maneuver grants them enhanced oversight of their affiliate network, a critical factor in the dynamic regulatory environment of the sector.

This change is not unexpected, as the affiliate marketing landscape, especially in the internet gambling realm, has been undergoing a transformation. Industry giants like PaddyPowerBetfair have already enforced stricter regulations on their affiliate collaborators, prompting some firms to completely withdraw from affiliate schemes.

Betway’s choice signifies that all management duties will shift from their existing affiliate associate, Buffalo Partners, to Betway Partners. This internal group will oversee all upcoming affiliate endeavors.

The handover is scheduled for completion on March 1, 2018, and Betway has already notified its current affiliate associates regarding these adjustments and their possible consequences.

Anthony Werkman, Chief Executive Officer of Betway, highlighted the significance of this action, remarking, “Integrating our affiliate program internally enables us to uphold the highest benchmarks and guarantee full adherence to evolving regulations, which is paramount to preserving Betway’s principles.”

We deeply appreciate our collaborators and are thrilled to further our partnership as we elevate this already flourishing enterprise to unprecedented levels of success.

To realize this vision, we remain steadfast in our dedication to maintaining the most stringent regulatory benchmarks across our global operations. We will collaborate closely with Betway to harmonize our principles and procedures even further, guaranteeing that transparency and ethical conduct remain paramount. Moreover, we will persist in working in tandem with regulatory bodies to cultivate a secure and reliable environment for all stakeholders.

During this evolutionary phase, Betway will furnish continuous assistance to its associates across all operational zones as the company transitions towards internal administration.

Betsson CEO Pontus Lindwall Steps Down After Successful Turnaround

The Betsson leadership team will see a change as Pontus Lindwall exits his position as Chief Executive Officer. His exit aligns with the conclusion of the “Back on Track” strategy, a project Lindwall championed upon resuming the CEO role in 2017.

This program has achieved significant success, resulting in unprecedented revenue and earnings for Betsson in the second quarter of 2021. With this period of expansion finalized, the board feels that fresh leadership is necessary to leverage new prospects in the international market. The quest for a successor will commence promptly.

Patrick Svensk, who heads the Betsson Board, commended Lindwall’s time in the role: “Betsson is more robust than ever before. We possess a strong business framework, an exceptional workforce, and healthy financials. The Board holds the belief that this presents an opportune moment for a new CEO to assume leadership and propel the company’s ongoing development.”

Lindwall, a seasoned professional with 25 years in the gaming and wagering sector, has been pivotal in Betsson’s accomplishments. Svensk recognized Lindwall’s input, stating: “Pontus Lindwall has played an indispensable part in Betsson’s prosperous evolution. When he assumed the CEO mantle in 2017, his objective was to solidify the company’s standing and establish a firm foundation for sustained expansion. That mission has now been successfully executed.”

The incoming Chief Executive will be entrusted with guiding Betsson’s penetration into newly regulated markets, representing a substantial area of growth for the organization.

The company expressed immense appreciation for Pontus Lindwall’s commitment throughout his tenure. His leadership has positioned us exceptionally well for future success.

Pontus will maintain his role as CEO during the search for his replacement. While his departure will be felt, he can anticipate a generous year-long compensation plan following his exit.

BetMakers CFO Anthony Perrin to Depart in 2024

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of BetMakers, Anthony Perrin, will be leaving his position after more than five years with the organization. Perrin was instrumental in BetMakers’ development and growth throughout his time there. His exit is scheduled for March 27, 2024, and the firm has already begun looking for a replacement. Warrick Van Der Merwe, the current Group Financial Controller, will serve as acting CFO in the meantime.

BetMakers CEO Jake Hansen praised Perrin’s considerable contributions, emphasizing his role in laying a solid financial base for the business. Perrin’s departure comes as the gaming industry undergoes other high-profile leadership changes, including the recent departures of Star Entertainment Group’s CEO and CFO.

Betby and Bad Hombre Gaming Expand Partnership with New Brands and AI-Powered Sportsbook Tools

Betby and Bad Hombre Gaming are elevating their collaboration! Bad Hombre Gaming, boasting a portfolio of over 15 brands, is poised to expand its wagering choices through Betby’s sportsbook platform and esports odds feed from Betby.Games.

This growth welcomes three fresh brands to the fold, all leveraging Betby’s advanced sports betting solutions. Beyond mere quantity, Betby’s AI-driven sportsbook tools, recently unveiled in London, are being deployed across Bad Hombre Gaming’s network. These tools, dubbed AI Labs, are revolutionary, offering analysis of customer attrition, forecasting long-term value, recommending wagers, automating risk mitigation, and delivering insightful business intelligence reports.

Christian Vuchev, the head of operations at Bad Hombre Gaming, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to be strengthening our existing partnership with Betby. Integrating new brands and incorporating their groundbreaking AI Labs tools represents a significant leap forward for us.”

Betbys Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Nicolopoulos, conveyed his excitement about the developing collaboration with Bad Hombre Gaming. He pointed to the rollout of fresh brands and the integration of their exclusive AI-driven sportsbook technologies as significant achievements. Nicolopoulos stressed Betby’s dedication to equipping their collaborators with advanced sports wagering resources, ultimately propelling their accomplishments.

He further remarked, “Bad Hombre Gaming aligns with our aspirations and objectives, and we anticipate solidifying this alliance in the future.”

Ballys Corporation Acquires Gamesys in $2.5 Billion Deal to Create Gaming Giant

Ballys Corporation has entered into an agreement to purchase the gaming software company Gamesys. The transaction, finalized in the previous month, assesses Gamesys at roughly $2.5 billion.

As per the acquisition terms, Gamesys stockholders will obtain 1,850 pence per share, a considerable markup compared to Gamesys’ latest market valuation. This signifies a 41.2% rise from Bally’s opening bid in January and emphasizes the worth Bally’s perceives in Gamesys.

The Chairman of Gamesys, Neil Goulden, conveyed assurance in the agreement, affirming it presents outstanding worth for investors. He underscored the substantial premium presented by Bally’s, which significantly outperforms Gamesys’ past stock value.

Soo Kim, Bally’s Chairman, stressed that the acquisition is a pivotal move in their plan to transform into a top-tier multi-channel gaming enterprise. He posits that Gamesys’ established technological framework, skilled workforce, and robust brand assortment will substantially bolster Bally’s expansion course.

This strategic maneuver will merge Bally’s expanding physical casino footprint with Gamesys’ proficiency in digital gaming, establishing a formidable entity within the swiftly evolving gaming sector.

The amalgamation will unite Gamesys’ “proven technological foundation” and “esteemed and seasoned leadership group” with “Bally’s’s nationwide reach.” This potent alliance is projected to place the unified entity advantageously to leverage the substantial expansion prospects within the American sports wagering and internet gaming sector.

Investors in Gamesys are slated to obtain two dividend payments. The initial disbursement, amounting to 28 pence per share, has already been declared. A subsequent dividend, equating to 15 pence per share, will be issued if the amalgamation is not finalized by September 9, 2021.

Bally’s contends that the US digital gaming industry is flourishing. The corporation perceives this agreement with a renowned American trademark as a means to exploit this surge.

Bally’s posits that “this consolidation constitutes an enticing strategic and fiscal prospect to augment customer offerings and encounters.”

Attracting the Upcoming Wave of Players: Modernizing the Gaming Experience for Millennials

## Attracting the Upcoming Wave of Players

Jade Sahota, a Design Director at Degree 53, explores how gaming businesses can better place their offerings to grab the interest of a younger demographic. In the current landscape, online gaming provides a buffet of options, encompassing sports wagering, lotteries, bingo, and a wide spectrum of casino games. Yet, despite this diversity, the services themselves frequently feel alike, with some missing a genuinely immersive experience. This is one factor contributing to customers leaning towards brands with alluring incentives instead of maintaining fidelity to a specific provider. While registration bonuses might offer a temporary solution, gaming enterprises require a different approach to draw in the next wave of consumers, a generation even more digitally adept and prioritizing user experience and engagement above all else.

**The Impact of Enjoyable Nuances**

The secret to crafting products with captivating gaming experiences often resides in the subtle elements that ignite user delight. Launching an app that conveys information in an enthralling manner is always a pleasure. As an illustration, visuals and animations mirroring the brand’s character can be employed to present introductory tutorials creatively. In a similar vein, page shifts, mobile motions, push alerts, and audio cues can all be integrated to enhance the experience. Operators can draw inspiration from industry leaders like Google, who excel in this domain.

This technology firm’s instruction booklet, or perhaps “integration” process, is refreshingly different! They’ve replaced the dull, traditional handbook with dynamic visuals and moving graphics, and the style is so captivating it feels like conversing with a pal, not deciphering software instructions.

A significant obstacle for the gaming sector is closing the divide between veteran gamers and the up-and-coming age group. The millennial generation matured alongside the web, digital games, and social platforms – their interaction with technology is distinct. This complicates the task of piquing their interest in areas like casino play or wagering on sports. They’re accustomed to the immersive encounters offered by brands like Playstation, Netflix, and Snapchat – entities that resonate with their communication style. To seize the interest of this younger demographic, providers must elevate their approach. Modernizing both their offerings and the language used to describe them is essential. Drawing inspiration from sectors beyond gaming and observing millennial responses to them is vital.

Interactive game mechanics are a proven user experience tactic that can effectively tackle the issue of generational disparities. It’s already creating a stir in video games, retail, athletics, education, and even business applications! It’s unexpected that more operators haven’t embraced this approach. It’s mutually beneficial for both the client and the company.

Motivating users to engage in a range of activities to accumulate points or prizes is a guaranteed method to enhance participation and loyalty, ultimately increasing customer expenditure. This “gamification” can be integrated throughout the entire gaming or wagering journey, from the initial registration to how they interact with games or place wagers on various occurrences.

For instance, providers can emphasize trending games or events, furnish context and historical data, and incentivize users to achieve targets or obtain rewards through their bets. This can be linked to loyalty schemes, displaying a user’s advancement and the steps required to reach the subsequent tier of prizes. This infuses an element of enjoyment into the overall encounter and fosters a more enduring bond with patrons.

The whole sector is wrestling with how to entice new patrons, particularly millennials, to the realm of wagering and gambling. The obstacle is the disparity between the betting patterns of existing customers and millennials raised on digital gaming encounters. They possess a multitude of choices regarding sports and gaming, spanning video games to esports to social platforms. Providers must modify their offerings and customer experiences to resonate with this younger cohort. Examining the successful strategies of brands like Candy Crush or Casumo, and adopting elements from their tactics, can offer a blueprint for attracting this emerging demographic.

Prioritizing user interaction and cultivating an enjoyable, welcoming, and intuitive brand journey can substantially elevate transformation metrics and nurture deeper relationships with our audience.

Aristocrat Leisure Posts Strong First Half 2022 Results Driven by Growth Across Gaming Segments

The prominent Australian gaming entity, Aristocrat Leisure, announced robust financial results for the initial six months of its 2022 fiscal year, ending March 31, 2022. Revenues climbed significantly to AUD 2.75 billion (equivalent to roughly USD 1.92 billion), marking a 23% surge compared to the corresponding period in the preceding year.

The company witnessed remarkable growth in its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which escalated by 30% year-over-year, reaching AUD 970.3 million. This translated into an enhanced EBITDA margin of 35.3%, reflecting a 1.9 percentage point improvement.

Profitability emerged as a standout aspect, with normalized profit after tax and before amortization of acquired intangibles (NPATA) hitting AUD 580 million, representing a substantial 41% leap from the prior year.

Aristocrat attributed this positive performance to a confluence of factors, including the ongoing expansion and diversification of its Pixel United (mobile gaming) and Gaming segments. The company also underscored the strong resurgence in its conventional casino machine sales, propelled by the relaxation of Covid-19 limitations and a surge in customer expenditure on its high-performing offerings.

CEO and Managing Director Trevor Croker, commenting on the financial outcomes, remarked, “Aristocrat demonstrated resilience and agility in its performance despite navigating through persistent uncertainties and obstacles. We implemented proactive measures to safeguard our workforce and core business principles while allocating resources to expedite our growth strategy.”

He further emphasized the company’s dedication to innovation, stating, “Our sustained investments in talent acquisition, technological advancements, and product development are fueling continuous market share expansion across all our operational domains and underpinned our robust revenue and profit growth in the first half of fiscal 2022.”

We were truly accelerating the expansion of our digital wagering platform – envision attracting new customers and acquiring several promising ventures. Our objective? To become the leader in the international online betting arena. We are even preparing to introduce our internet-based gaming offerings in a few American states before the conclusion of 2022.”

Gaming Corps Expands into Georgian Market with Ambassadoribet Partnership

A video game creator, Gaming Corps, has broadened its presence into the Georgian market by joining forces with Ambassadoribet, a well-known internet gaming site in Georgia. This alliance gives Ambassadoribet entry to Gaming Corps’ complete collection of games.

Georgian gamblers can now experience a range of games, including popular choices like Jet Lucky and Coin Miner, in addition to fresh releases like Wild Woof, Raging Zeus Mines, Super Hot Stacks, and Lobster Hotpot. The agreement encompasses a wide array of game categories, including crash games, mine games, table games, slots, and their verified Plinko games.

Both businesses have conveyed enthusiasm about the collaboration. Mats Lundin, the Sales Director at Gaming Corps, stressed their dedication to delivering their games to a larger player base and suggested more thrilling launches in the upcoming year. Giorgi Gogua, the COO of Ambassadoribet, underlined that this partnership strengthens their gaming offerings, supplying their players with a varied and captivating selection.

Gaming Corps, a game developer, is aggressively pursuing expansion. They recently established a partnership with Alea, a hub connecting a vast library of games to players. This collaboration, unveiled on January 16, 2024, will significantly broaden the reach of Gaming Corps’ games. Popular offerings from their catalog include Wild Woof, Plinkgoal, and more.

Their ambitions don’t stop there! They are also joining forces with Brazino777, a prominent force in Belarus, to make a significant impact in that region. Furthermore, in a strategic move to penetrate new markets, they have partnered with Betway Group to enter the African market and secured an agreement with Latvia’s LV Bet to solidify their European presence.

Air Dice Group Appoints Erkki Nikunen as Chief Business Development Officer

A leading iGaming entity, Air Dice Group, has named seasoned Finnish leader Erkki Nikunen as their new Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO). This calculated action highlights Air Dice’s ambitious growth strategy.

Nikunen possesses a wealth of expertise, having dedicated over eight years to Finnplay, where he held pivotal executive positions such as Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer. His extensive knowledge of the iGaming sector, combined with his prior partnerships with Air Dice during his tenure at Finnplay, make him exceptionally qualified to steer the company’s upward trajectory.

“I’m excited to join the Air Dice team,” remarked Nikunen. “Their standing for providing exceptional products and services within the iGaming value chain is well-deserved.” He continued, “Having collaborated with Air Dice before, joining the company felt instinctive. Their products have consistently showcased a profound grasp of game creation, coupled with a dedication to excellence, advanced technology, and business ethics.”

Nikunen’s notable background also encompasses a period at Finnish operator Paf and, significantly, he co-established Fortuity Holdings, the firm responsible for the successful debut of LuckyCasino.com, which was subsequently acquired by Glitnor Group.

The team was excited to bring Erkki on board,” shared Sami Mäkinen, Air Dice’s Chief Executive Officer. “His remarkable history in the gaming industry, spanning both the commercial and player perspectives, positions him ideally to spearhead our expansion plan. His deep knowledge makes us certain of reaching our objectives.”

Australian Media Watchdog Cracks Down on Illegal Gambling Websites

The Australian media watchdog, ACMA, is taking strong action against unlawful internet gambling. They are pursuing websites promoting these activities, particularly those disguised as legitimate review platforms but operating as covert advertising mechanisms.

This initiative is significant as it marks the first instance of the ACMA collaborating with Australian internet service providers to combat illicit online gambling. They have explicitly identified several websites requiring blocking, including Aussie Casino Hex and Australia OK Casinos, due to their direct connections to illegal gambling operations.

ACMA’s Fiona Cameron stressed that this action aims to safeguard Australians, especially those susceptible to gambling-related issues. These illicit platforms often fail to distribute winnings and employ exploitative strategies to take advantage of individuals.

Since 2017, the ACMA has been actively engaged in shutting down illegal gambling operations, and this recent measure demonstrates their intensified efforts.

These actions have severely hampered unlawful wagering activities within Australia. Numerous internet platforms have been deactivated, and connectivity to the most prominent gaming sites has been essentially severed. This constitutes a significant victory for Australian authorities in their endeavor to enhance national safety.